Sterling Silver Cloisonné Rabbit and Moonstone Pendant
This one of kind pendant features two enamel cloisonné pieces and a moonstone set is sterling silver. It can but worn as a necklace or as brooch by removing the chain. The cloisonné rabbit, and the branch were made first and then set into the silver the just like a stone would. The moonstone has flecks of black tourmaline and a blue flash. The the whole piece is surrounded by silver twigs made from fusing silver wires together. The cloisonné it very translucent sparkles it the light and the rabbit is so cute and whimsical. This piece is the product of many many hours or work and is by far one of my favorite pieces ever.
The pendant is 2 1/2" Long and 1" wide. It will come on a 20" long sterling silver chain with handmade clasps. If you would like a different length chain please just add a note at the time of purchase and i will be happy to change it.
How Cloisonné Enamel is Made
Cloisonné is an ancient art form that has been used to make jewelry for thousands of years. Every artist uses slightly different techniques when making an enamel piece. This is a little bit about how I make mine.
All of my Cloisonné enamel pieces are torch fired and based off a hand drawn designs.
I replicate each line of my drawing by bending fine silver wire by hand and with tweezers. After the wires are bent to match my drawing. I create the base by hand sawing out piece of copper. I use copper as a base because it is much stronger then silver and give the enamel the sturdiest base.
After firing several layers of vitreous enamel—ground up glass— to the back of the piece and one to the front, I carefully place the bent wires into the base and fire them in place. Next I add thin layers enamel in between the wires using a tiny paint brush. Then enamel is fired to around 1,400 degrees F to melt the enamel. I repeat the process of adding layers of enamel and melting then around 7 to 15 times. Until the enamel is even with the silver wires. The process is very time consuming and can take days or weeks depending on the size of the cloisonné piece. But the end result is worth every hour and will last a life time or two if treated right.
